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Banjo remembered

ELEANOR HALL: He was born in the New South Wales town of Orange 149 years ago, but Banjo Paterson remains one of the best known Australians, and locals from his home town have just celebrated the poet's birthday in style.

That celebration though is likely to pale in comparison to the extravaganza being planned for next year's 150th birthday bash, as Natalie Whiting reports from Orange.

NATALIE WHITING: The locals had gathered under the shade of gum trees in the Banjo Paterson Memorial Park to recite the famed poet's versus.

POETRY READING: They'd give a crown to any lad who'd ride that mule around the ring. Well the boys got on; he bucked like sin, he threw them in the dirt; what time the clown would raise a grin by asking "Are you hurt?"

ELIZABETH GRIFFIN: He was born on this particular property, Narrambla, on the 17th of February 1864. He was only here for a couple of weeks before he went back to the family home at Buckinbah. And Buckinbah later became the village of Yeoval.

But because there weren't any doctors out there, the family thought it would be much wiser for his very pregnant mother to come in and have the birth in Orange where there was doctors.

NATALIE WHITING: It's definitely an older crowd that's turned out for the birthday party. Ms Griffin says she'd like to see more focus put on bush poetry in schools, so the culture isn't lost on the next generation.

ELIZABETH GRIFFIN: My generation were weaned in their school years on Paterson and Lawson's poetry and this is why I sort of feel I'm partly responsible actually for making sure that that information is put out there and people can research it, become familiar with it and learn to love his poetry itself.

POETRY READING: Tis many years since first I came to Kiley's Run. More years than I would care to name since I as stripling use to ride for miles and miles at Kiley's side. The wild and stirring tones he told, the stories of the days of old, on Kiley's Run.

NATALIE WHITING: Ms Griffin says being the site of Banjo's birthplace is also an important aspect of the history of Orange and it's vital that it's commemorated locally.

ELIZABETH GRIFFIN: Different towns around the country say Banjo slept here, Banjo wrote a poem here and it's all these different claims to fame. But this is where Banjo was born, and you're only born once, so the fact that he was born here on the Narrambla property is very important to us.

NATALIE WHITING: While it's a small gathering for Banjo's 149th, big plans are already being made for next year.

ELIZABETH GRIFFIN: Well initially we've got suggestions of a polo match, horse races, of course because of banjos connection there with his love of horses, maybe some bush ballads in the pubs, readings in the pubs and whatever ideas people come up with.

NATALIE WHITING: It's hoped some of Banjo's remaining relatives will be able to come to the city for his 150th birthday celebrations.

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